The milestone speaks for itself: it’s the 10th anniversary of FORBES AFRICA’S 30 under 30 list, and just like the honorees who have come before them, the class of 2024 too are driven by impact. Profits aside, it’s about achieving success with innovation, influence and individuality. They aren’t looking to fill big shoes but rather lace up their own and forge ahead with giant strides, leading by example and leaving an indelible path for the changemakers to come.



Words and Curation: Chanel Retief Additional research and reporting: Nicole Pillay With inputs from: Oluwatomisin Amokeoja Art Direction and Layout: Lucy Nkosi | Photography: Katlego Mokubyane | Photography Assistant: Sbusiso Sigidi | Studio: NewKatz Studio, Johannesburg | Styling: Deneal Van Wyk | Outfits supplied by: B Mashilo Designs, DFLO, Franc Elis, Ephymol and Preview Accessories | Hair &amp; Makeup: SnehhOnline Beauty



How does one go from working nine to five as a software engineer to becoming one of South Africa’s most-beloved social media influencers? Just ask Chad Jones. Known for his quirky dance videos with his parents, he gained popularity on social media during the Covid-19 pandemic. Scrolling through Facebook one day, he saw TikTok videos on the platform. 



“I decided to download the app just to see what it was about. After a few hours of scrolling, all that popped up on my page were these short, catchy dances that looked fun. I created my account and asked my parents to join me for a [brief] dance,” he says.



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Having convinced his parents to join in on his Gqom and Amapiano-style dances (even going as far as bribing his father with a PlayStation game in order to get him to participate), his family has become fan favorites. “Now people ask where they are when I post videos,” Jones laughs. 



Almost four years later, Jones has forged his path as a content creator, and even has his parents on his payroll. “I pay them now. And they make a pretty decent amount of extra cash. Coming from [the] background I am from, it’s a wholesome feeling being able to do that for my family,” he says.

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Under 30: The South African Content Creator With The Right Moves

The beauty industry is growing by leaps and bounds, and as data says, so also the demand for minimally invasive aesthetic treatments in the Middle East and Africa.



This has been good news for Dr Wedu Tose Somolekae, who has become a sought-after expert in Botswana in the field of aesthetic medicine.



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<iframe loading="lazy" title="#FORBESAFRICA30Under30 Class of 2023: Meet COVER STAR Dr Wedu Tose Somolekae" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_bTc6StnYPQ?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
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And to think this was not her initial plan.



“When I started medical school in 2011, I dreamed of eventually becoming a pediatrician,” Tose Somolekae says to FORBES AFRICA. “Aesthetic medicine and entrepreneurship were the furthest thing on my mind. Little did I know that a weekend trip to Johannesburg with my friends would change all of that!”



After visiting a clinic in bustling Johannesburg, South Africa, Tose Somolekae immediately began her research on the concept of aesthetics and medicine. Like any millennial, the good doctor took to Instagram to directly speak to other medical aesthetic doctors in the field.



After many obstacles (being stuck in the small village of Masunga, Covid-19 and not enough fees to pay for her dream), Tose Somolekae took the plunge in the beginning of 2021 and resigned from her position as a medical officer in Masunga with a severance package of P50,000 ($380,000).



A move that led to Medi-Glow Aesthetics, the first full-time Medical Aesthetic Practice in Botswana.



“Watching me grow has definitely inspired those around me to chase their dreams and reach for the stars,” Tose Somolekae adds. “The tenacity and determination to introduce something new to the medical and beauty in.



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<h2 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading" id="h-2023-forbes-under-30-summit-africa">2023 Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa</h2>


<div class="wp-block-image">
<figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/U30-Africa-Summit-Email-Header-6Speaker-1024x538.png" alt="" class="wp-image-57846" width="607" height="319" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/U30-Africa-Summit-Email-Header-6Speaker-1024x538.png 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/U30-Africa-Summit-Email-Header-6Speaker-300x158.png 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/U30-Africa-Summit-Email-Header-6Speaker-768x403.png 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/U30-Africa-Summit-Email-Header-6Speaker.png 1200w" sizes="(max-width: 607px) 100vw, 607px" /></figure></div>


In April 2023, the Under 30 Summit will return to the world’s greatest growth market, Africa. Following the first-ever Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa held in April 2022, the world’s most elite young entrepreneurs and game-changers will again convene in one of the world’s most beautiful countries, Botswana.



Across four days in the country’s capital, Gaborone, we’ll harness the power of entrepreneurial capitalism amid the continent whose growth will help define the 21st century. As with every Under 30 Summit, the social and cultural opportunities will be world-class. You’ll hear from government, venture capital and business role models, providing inspiration for the newest—and next—generation of leaders. We will welcome local performers, chefs and entrepreneurs, allowing us to experience the sounds, cuisine and staples of local culture while engaging in unbeatable networking and pitching opportunities.



<a href="https://www.forbes.com/connect/event/2023-forbes-under-30-summit-africa/?promo=LPAFRICA" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Register here</a>

#FORBESAFRICA30Under30 Class of 2023:Meet COVER STAR Dr Wedu Tose Somolekae “Aesthetic medicine and entrepreneurship were the furthest thing on my mind.”

<figure class="wp-block-pullquote has-border-color has-vivid-red-border-color" style="border-radius:100px"><blockquote>“Make 2023 Your Year!”</blockquote></figure>



It’s that time of the year again! FORBES AFRICA is calling on Africa’s brightest visionaries, risk-takers, change-makers and pioneers to take their place on the continent’s sought-after 30 Under 30 list.



For 2023, we are now on the quest for 30 of Africa’s most ingenious innovators under the age of 30 for the categories of Business, Technology, Creatives, Sport and Science/Health.



The <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/cover-story/2022/07/15/the-class-of-2022-money-and-meaning/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Class of 2022 </a>proved to the world that Africa’s Under 30s care about making money as well as meaning. For these young trailblazers, it was not just about commerce and clout but about ensuring they represent well their countries and the diverse, heterogeneous Africa they want to serve.



“Every year, the list keeps getting better and 2022 was also historic in that the cover shoot for this issue was in Botswana, for the first time outside of Johannesburg; and the finalists shone in every sense,” says Renuka Methil, Editor of FORBES AFRICA.



As we prepare for the ninth installment of the 30 Under 30 list, we also announce a few changes. Our process is extremely rigorous, and as the nominees progress through the stages, it gets more intense. As in the past, we will require a police clearance certificate (PCC) or report from your country verifying that you have no criminal record, no ongoing or upcoming court cases and that you are a citizen of that country. As an extra layer of verification, the FORBES AFRICA Under 30 team of curators now also need a recommendation/reference letter from your financial institution (like your bank), ensuring that you are a legitimate business/brand employing your funds responsibly. We recommend that you contact your financial institution or advisor to prepare for this part of the process.



In the end, it will all be worth it as you join these past honorees who are now illustrious Under 30 alumni; like Elsa Majimbo, Mr. Eazi, Lasizwe, Musa Keys, Lloyd Harris, Sho Madjozi, Bruce Diale, Antonio Depina, Karabo Poppy, Thuso Mbedu, Dr. Esperance Luvindao, Nomzamo Mbatha, Kabza De Small, Burna Boy, Nthabiseng Mosia, Davido, Shamim Nabuuma Kaliisa, Sikander Kalla, Nasty C, Chad le Clos, and WizKid.



“These are the shining stars who will be leading our future and deciding what’s best. What we are looking for in 2023? Even more committed young people pivoting the continent to progress, profits, and prosperity,” adds Methil. 



<h2 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading" id="h-nominations-and-applications-criteria">NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS CRITERIA:&nbsp;</h2>



Please read and take careful note of the following before applying. APPLICATIONS CLOSE 20 January 2023 17:00 (SAST)



Business and Technology categories&nbsp;



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Must be an entrepreneur/founder aged 29 or younger on 31 March 2023&nbsp;</li><li>Should have a legitimate REGISTERED business on the continent&nbsp;</li><li>Business/businesses should be two years or older (please ensure you have your audited financial documents for at least two years as well as your company&#8217;s registration documents; should you make the second stage, this will be required)&nbsp;</li><li>The more innovative the business the better (as it contributes to Africa’s growth story!)&nbsp;</li><li>Have you/your company created social impact on the African continent?&nbsp;</li><li>The company must be profit-generating&nbsp;</li><li>Must employ people in Africa&nbsp;</li><li>All applications must be in English&nbsp;</li></ol>



Sports category



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Must be a sports person aged 29 or younger on 31 March 2023</li><li>Must be representing an African team</li><li>Should have a proven track-record of no less than two years</li><li>Should be making significant earnings</li><li>Endorsement deals and/or awards of any kind would be a bonus</li><li>Entrepreneurship and social impact are a plus, especially if applying under the Business/Technology category. However, the business must oblige by the same rules as under Business/Technology.</li><li>All applications must be in English</li></ol>



Creatives category&nbsp;



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Must be a creative aged 29 or younger on 31 March 2023&nbsp;</li><li>Must be from or based in Africa&nbsp;</li><li>Should be making significant earnings&nbsp;</li><li>Should have a proven creative record of no less than two years&nbsp;</li><li>Awards of any kind would be a bonus&nbsp;&nbsp;</li><li>Social media presence will be taken into consideration.&nbsp;</li><li>Entrepreneurship and social impact are a plus, especially if applying under the Business/Technology category. However, the business must be legitimate, registered and also two years or older.&nbsp;</li><li>All applications must be in English&nbsp;</li></ol>



Health/Science category&nbsp;



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Must be a creative aged 29 or younger on 31 March 2023 </li><li>Must be from or based in Africa </li><li>Should have a proven track record in the field of health and/or science for no less than two years. </li><li>Must have social influence and impact. </li><li>If the nominee is a doctor/professor, please provide us with documentation and a reference letter from the institution where the applicant received a doctorate or Ph.D.   </li><li>Entrepreneurship and social impact are a plus, especially if applying under the Business/Technology category. However, the business must be legitimate, registered, and also two years or older. </li><li>All applications must be in English</li></ol>



APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED!

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Call For Nominations To FORBES AFRICA’s 30 Under 30 Class Of 2023

THE FORBES AFRICA 30 UNDER 30 CLASS OF 2022 CARE ABOUT BEING VISIONARIES OF CHANGE AND CATALYSTS FOR INNOVATION. BEING ON THE MOST-ANTICIPATED LIST ON THE CONTINENT, FOR THESE YOUNG TRAILBLAZERS, IS NOT JUST ABOUT COMMERCE AND CLOUT BUT ABOUT ENSURING THEY REPRESENT WELL THEIR COUNTRIES AND THE DIVERSE, HETEROGENEOUS AFRICA THEY WANT TO SERVE. CELEBRATING ITS EIGHTH EDITION, THE LIST THIS YEAR FEATURES THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST, BUT IMPORTANTLY, THE MOST RESILIENT, WHO HAVE TAKEN THE TIME TO NOT ONLY SHINE A LIGHT ON THE ISSUES PLAGUING AFRICA’S GROWTH IN A PANDEMIC ERA BUT ALSO WORK TOWARDS SHIFTING THE NARRATIVE, ONE TINY, TENACIOUS STEP AT A TIME.



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Making it to the inner sanctum of the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list is no mean feat. The process began in October last year on our online platform that saw over a thousand applications and nominations streaming in. If successful, to proceed to the second round, nominees needed to provide valid evidence of their endeavors and ventures.



Each year, the process gets even more stringent at this stage. We also gleaned suggestions from our 30 Under 30 alum, employing the same rigorous process as last year to whittle the list down to 30 finalists across the business, technology, sports, health and creative sectors.



For yet another year, SNG Grant Thornton came on board as our audit partners to assess company financials from losses to growth margins to overall revenue and profits since incorporation. Background checks were conducted on the potential listers, which included going through documentation such as police clearance certificates to ensure that they had no criminal record, troubling lawsuits/bankruptcies and allegations of crime, misconduct, sexual harassment/abuse or fraud charges against them.



The finalists were vetted by the editorial team and a panel of high-profile judges and subject-matter experts. Our judging panel’s comments are testimony to some.



Words and Curation: Chanel Retief Art Director: Lucy Nkosi Additional Research &amp; Reporting: Lillian Roberts Photography: Ilan Godfrey for Forbes Videography and production: Timothy Pierson for Forbes &amp; Chad McClymonds for Forbes Video Editor: Chanel Retief Styling: Katlego Magano of Oak Ave; Assistant: Tumelo Nkwe Hair &amp; Makeup: SnehhOnline Beauty; Thapelo Letsebe Location: Image Lounge, Botswana and 2022 Forbes Under 30 Summit



<a href="https://shop.forbesafrica.com/product/single-digital-issue-june-july-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">For the full list download your digital copy here</a>

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Inside the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 Class of 2022

“RISKING YOUR JOB FOR 10 MINUTES OF SLEEP&#8230; THAT’S CALLED SACRIFICE&#8230;” says Majimbo, donning her iconic sunglasses. “If I get up on time then what is the snooze button for,” she asks, proceeding to crunch on a crisp, perfectly-rounded potato chip.



When you think of that Kenyan accent, the 90s-themed sunglasses, the potato chip, and the hallmark giggle, Majimbo immediately has you thinking “iconic”.



Just ask any one of her loyal followers on Instagram.



The Nairobi-born Majimbo, who spent her days playing chess and attending college, was not aiming to be an internet sensation with her laughter-inducing, pared-down vid- eos when the Covid-19 pandemic hit in 2020.



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“I made these videos to make myself laugh and then one day my friend told me that I had gone viral,” she tells FORBES AFRICA.



The videos became a sensation and Majimbo a social media star. Two years on, Majimbo sits with over 2.5 million followers on Instagram.



At this year’s Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa, she said: “Growing up, I always knew I would be iconic. I didn’t know how I would do it, but I knew it would be done.”



Once Majimbo’s videos broke the internet, she immediately informed the journalism institution she was attending and dropped out; she did not even tell her parents.



“I think it was a relief for me because I always say this, I never like[d] school,” Majimbo says.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-center is-style-large is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">“ONE THING PEOPLE ALWAYS GET WRONG ABOUT ME THOUGH IS THAT I AM ALWAYS HAPPY. I HAVE BAD DAYS TOO GUYS.”</blockquote>



On set at the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 photo- shoot in Gaborone in April, Majimbo’s energy was infectious.



“One thing people always get wrong about me though is that I am always happy. I have bad days too guys,” she laughs.



At just 20 years old, Majimbo has already graced the covers of Teen Vogue, Verified, Harper’s Bazaar, and GQ South Africa. She has been featured in Maison Valentino campaigns and has won ‘entertainer of the year’ awards for both GQ South Africa and FORBES WOMAN AFRICA.



Currently, the young starlet is on her way “to make that Hollywood money” in her new home in Los Ange- les where Majimbo’s short documentary, Elsa, will premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in June.



“You’re going to see me on the big screen,” she promised at the summit.



When it comes to her millions of followers, she always ensures that she is authentic and inspires them to go after their dreams.



“Enjoy your life&#8230; it’s never that deep. People will try and discourage you and you can do whatever you want,” Majimbo says. “Chase that bag until it starts chasing you.&#8221; 



Words and Curation: Chanel Retief Art Director: Lucy Nkosi Additional Research &amp; Reporting: Lillian Roberts Photography: Ilan Godfrey for Forbes Videography and production: Timothy Pierson for Forbes &amp; Chad McClymonds for Forbes Video Editor: Chanel Retief Styling: Katlego Magano of Oak Ave; Assistant: Tumelo Nkwe Hair &amp; Makeup: SnehhOnline Beauty; Thapelo Letsebe Location: Image Lounge, Botswana and 2022 Forbes Under 30 Summit



<a href="https://shop.forbesafrica.com/product/single-digital-issue-june-july-2022/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Get your digital copy here</a>



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/twitter-2-1024x341.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-55433" width="654" height="217" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/twitter-2-1024x341.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/twitter-2-300x100.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/twitter-2-768x256.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/twitter-2-1536x512.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/twitter-2-2048x683.jpg 2048w" sizes="(max-width: 654px) 100vw, 654px" /></figure></div>

#FORBESAFRICA30Under30: Meet Cover Star ELSA MAJIMBO- ‘Chase That Bag, Until it Starts Chasing You’

For the first time on the African continent, the Forbes Under 30 Summit Africa kicked off in Botswana’s capital Gaborone yesterday, April 24, with 600 entrepreneurs in attendance for the five-day event.



At the opening night in Gaborone’s historic Main Mall, an outdoor shopping and commercial hub in the heart of the city, an audience of about 2,000, including summit delegates and members of the public, cheered and swayed to live music.



The country’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi, who&nbsp;took to the podium for the welcome speech, was greeted by more applause and celebratory ululations.



“Some of the finest under-30s that the world of entrepreneurship has to offer [are here], with 200 from Botswana, 200 from the rest of Africa and another 200 from the rest of the world… We will witness for the first time how Botswana harnesses the power of the entrepreneurial spirit and promotes conversations that foster innovations and creativity… In Botswana, the youth, being change-makers and future leaders, are continuously encouraged to play a leading role through various funding mechanisms from public to private sources… we have also embarked on digitization as the epicenter of our national development agenda and young people are being empowered through several initiatives,” said Masisi.



For the many watching, this was “a people’s concert” held in a place of significance.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



“The Main Mall is the original mall built after independence. A lot of us grew up here,” remarked Pat Dambe, Head of Corporate Affairs at the De Beers Group of Companies in Botswana.



The crowds gathered outside the Cresta President Hotel, overlooking the main stage.&nbsp;



“The President Hotel is a legacy hotel. And our President wanted to bring everybody back to where we started and it really is a renaissance. It’s a rebirth. And it’s all about young people, so it’s also the future. We are so excited to see the buildings around that have been upgraded,” added Dambe.



In the crowd, Kemo Kwadiba, the Managing Director of Care Medicals Botswana and one of the 200 entrepreneurs from Botswana sponsored by De Beers and the country to experience the summit, was ecstatic as local hip hop artist ATI took to the stage for an energetic performance.



“I am very keen to meet with entrepreneurs from Africa and the world at the summit; I want to share notes with them, all the way from here to Kasane, where I will be attending the second leg of the summit,” said Kwadiba.



Yet another young businessman in the crowd, Botsile Tshepo Moreba, the owner of Sanctified Delights Bakery in Bobonong, a&nbsp;small town in the country’s Central District, drove five hours to get here.



“I am not an Under 30 lister, but I feel like one,” he said.



Lenny Motshodi, a small-scale farmer who mainly sells lettuce, said he too was looking forward to mingle with other agri-preneurs in the audience.



Similar sentiments from summit attendee, Busi Pooe, the CEO of Tshimong in South Africa and also FORBES AFRICA’s 2019 30 Under 30 lister: “Tonight was hugely inspirational. I had the opportunity to reconnect with past FORBES AFRICA Under 30s from all over the African continent who&#8217;ve been recognized for their potential, and have actually gone on to realize it. President Masisi commented that Africa&#8217;s time is now and the youth are in the driving seat. I&#8217;m excited for the next few days of networking as it will continue to build on the momentum set tonight.”&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;



Just before Ghana’s DJ Black made his way to the stage for his much-awaited show, President Masisi concluded his speech, summing up the mood of the night: “My wife and I are in our dancing shoes and we are ready to rock!”

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An African Night Celebrating Global Entrepreneurship  

Attention visionaries, innovators, change-makers, and risk-takers! FORBES AFRICA is back, once again on the hunt for Africans under the age of 30, who are building brands, creating jobs, and transforming the continent in their respective fields.



The FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list is the most-anticipated annual compilation of game-changers in Africa and for 2022, we are on the quest for 30 of the continent’s brightest achievers under the age of 30 from the categories of Business, Technology, Creatives, Sport and Science, particularly Health.



The Class of 2021 was an intrepid cast of young people who navigated the Covid-19 pandemic, also creating social impact.



Now, as we prepare for the eighth installment of the 30 Under 30 list, we also announce a few changes.



First, we have added Health/Science to the mix to especially celebrate young thinkers, professionals, and entrepreneurs on the frontline working tirelessly to improve Africa’s medical sector.



Applicants/nominees can also now choose more than one category to apply under. If you are a sports star with a business aimed at uplifting the sports sector, choose sports AND business. If you are a creative trying to find innovative ideas using digital landscapes to showcase art, choose the creative AND technology sectors.



Past honorees of the FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list include names such as Mr. Eazi, Mihlali Ndamase, Lloyd Harris, Sho Madjozi, Bruce Diale, Antonio Depina, Karabo Poppy, Thuso Mbedu, Nomzamo Mbatha, Kabza De Small, Burna Boy, Nthabiseng Mosia, Davido, Shamim Nabuuma Kaliisa, Nasty C, Chad le Clos, and WizKid.



“The FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 is the most coveted list of the year, and the 2022 edition will mark eight years of it. We are particularly excited to unravel the treasure trove of talent that these tough times have created. Success has not been a given for these frontrunners in the pandemic period. Faced with innumerable hiccups and setbacks, they have rolled up their sleeves and made their work matter, also lifting others on their way up,” says Renuka Methil, Managing Editor of FORBES AFRICA.



<h2 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading">NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS CRITERIA:</h2>



Please read and take careful note of the following before applying. APPLICATIONS CLOSE 1 FEBRUARY 2022, 17:00 (SAST). 



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-business-and-technology-categories">Business and Technology categories</h3>



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Must be an entrepreneur/founder aged 29 or younger on&nbsp;31 May 2022</li><li>Should have a legitimate REGISTERED business on the continent</li><li>Business/businesses should be two years or older</li><li>The more innovative the business the better</li><li>Nominees must have risked own money and have a social impact</li><li>Must be profit generating</li><li>Must employ people in Africa</li><li>All applications must be in English</li></ol>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sports Category </h3>



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Must be a sports person aged 29 or younger on 31 May 2022</li><li>Must be representing an African team</li><li>Should have a proven track record of no less than two years</li><li>Should be making significant earnings</li><li>Endorsement deals would be a bonus</li><li>Entrepreneurship and social impact is a plus especially if applying with the Business/Technology category. However business must be legitamate, registered and also two years or older. </li><li>All applications must be in English</li></ol>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Creatives category</h3>



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Must be a creative aged 29 or younger on 31 May 2020</li><li>Must be from or based in Africa</li><li>Should be making significant earnings</li><li>Should have a proven creative record of no less than two years</li><li>Entrepreneurship and social impact is a plus especially if applying with the Business/Technology category. However business must be legitamate, registered and also two years or older. </li><li>All applications must be in English</li></ol>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Health/Science </h3>



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Must be a creative aged 29 or younger on 31 May 2022</li><li>Must be from or based in Africa</li><li>Should have a proven record in the field of health and/or science for no less than two years.</li><li>Must have social influence and impact. </li><li>Entrepreneurship and social impact is a plus especially if applying under the Business/Technology category. However, the business must be legitimate, registered and also two years or older. </li><li>All applications must be in English</li></ol>



If you think you have what it takes to enter or know someone you would like to see as part of the CLASS of 2022, please find the application here: 



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Call For Nominations To FORBES AFRICA’s 30 Under 30 Class Of 2022

How The Provocative Musician Is Taking New Risks To Build Her&nbsp;Career.



<abbr>M</abbr>iley Cyrus knows how to make a statement.&nbsp;As she lounges on a shag carpet in her Los Angeles basement during a video interview with&nbsp;Forbes, the 29-year-old star reflects on a career that’s taken her from a namesake role in the Disney series&nbsp;Hannah Montana&nbsp;at 13 to her current status as one the top recording artists of her generation.



“One thing I&#8217;m very proud of is that I started my business before I started my period,” says Cyrus. “And now, I’ve performed at Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, inducted Joan Jett into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame—all on my period. It has never gotten in the way of me being a businesswoman.”&nbsp;



<div class="wp-block-image"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><a href="https://www.forbesmagazine.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://specials-images.forbesimg.com/imageserve/61b031896cefa86778eb895a/122021-Covers-stripped-3-miley/0x0.gif?fit=scale" alt="122021_Covers_stripped-3-miley" width="472" height="619"/></a><figcaption>By Forbes </figcaption></figure></div>



When most stars talk about career highs, they don’t point out which ones coincided with their menstrual cycle. Then again, they’re not Miley Cyrus. Diehard fans already know Cyrus’ story about how got her first period nearly 15 years ago while performing in white pants on the set of&nbsp;Hannah Montana. She shared the story as a way to connect with fans—she has more than 150 million of them on Instagram alone—not shock them. What could be more emblematic of growing up in the public eye?



The series helped Cyrus earn $134 million by the time she hit 18, according to&nbsp;Forbes’&nbsp;estimates. But it also didn’t define her, as she has since released eight studio albums that range from psychedelic rock to country-hip-hop.



Cyrus is now taking more control of her entertainment career and platforms. In May, she struck an estimated $40 million deal with NBCUniversal that brings her back to television with three specials, as well as other projects and first looks at content created by Hopetown Entertainment, her production company with mother Tish Cyrus. She has also partnered with telehealth company Hims &amp; Hers, taking an equity stake and creative role in the Hers skincare line. That’s in addition to a slate of endorsement deals with brands like Gucci, as well as angel investments, new entertainment projects and moves to better control her fan experience with the relaunch of her fan website MileyWorld.



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-style-large is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">“If I know there’s going to be a greater reward by taking a greater risk, usually I’ll do it.” says Cyrus, combing her fingers through her bleached-blonde hair. “I do that with everything—my business, my relationships, with love, with life.”&nbsp;</blockquote>



Like Madonna, whom she considers one of her idols, Cyrus knows how to leverage her raw talent, risk-taking inclination and public persona to keep fans, press and industry executives engaged. For many millennials, memories of Cyrus swinging naked on her “Wrecking Ball” video in 2013 or rubbing up against singer Robin Thicke in a latex bra and panties at the Video Music Awards that year are as integrated into their memories as flared jeans, flip phones and tuning into the Disney Channel to watch Cyrus as Hannah Montana. The outrage certainly helped draw attention to her album&nbsp;Bangerz,&nbsp;which went triple platinum and earned Cyrus her a Grammy nomination, as well as a spot on&nbsp;Forbes&nbsp;2014 30 Under 30 Music list.&nbsp;



After making millions from&nbsp;Bangerz,&nbsp;Cyrus skirted her label and released&nbsp;Miley Cyrus &amp; Her Dead Petz. A collaboration with Flaming Lips’ frontman Wayne Coyne, she initially published the psychedelic album straight to SoundCloud for fans to hear for free. Rather than stick with a winning formula, she wanted to shake it up.



“If I know there’s going to be a greater reward by taking a greater risk, usually I’ll do it.” says Cyrus, combing her fingers through her bleached-blonde hair. “I do that with everything—my business, my relationships, with love, with life.”&nbsp;&nbsp;



What drives her is a hardwired love of music. Born to country music star Billy Ray Cyrus and producer Tish Cyrus in Nashville with Dolly Parton as her godmother, Cyrus grew up steeped in the music industry. While some critics dismiss Cyrus as more of a publicity seeker than a singer/songwriter, producer Mark Ronson considers her a rare talent who’s in the same league as other singers he’s worked with, from Amy Winehouse to Lady Gaga. Ronson co-wrote and co-performed what became the triple-platinum song&nbsp; “Nothing Breaks Like a Heart” alongside Cyrus. “She’s so brutally, blatantly honest about her life and, combine that with her voice, that’s why she has over 150 million people worshiping her,” says Ronson. “All the great ones, especially the really big ones, they’ve got their pain out there for the world to see.”&nbsp;



Cyrus certain shares her pain. She has talked about feeling exploited at times and is open about her struggles with anxiety, depression, alcohol and drug use. She lost her Malibu home to a wildfire in 2018 and her short-lived marriage to longtime beau Liam Hemsworth a year later. Within days of announcing her breakup, she was photographed kissing actress Kaitlynn Carter. Cyrus later declared herself to be pansexual or attracted to people regardless of their sex or gender identity.



These days Cyrus presents a more introspective and tranquil version of herself, experimenting with music and philanthropy rather than drugs and partying. Queer causes, displacement and her enormous platform inspired her to start Happy Hippie Foundation in 2015 to provide education, employment and support services to homeless and at-risk LGBTQ+ youth. “People are going to talk about me: What can I get them to talk about that actually makes a difference?” asks Cyrus. “People talking about me dressing up as a teddy bear and shaking my ass doesn’t do anything. Starting Happy Hippie, and it being around six years later, has been the proudest moment of my career.”



The pandemic also brought her back to the world of TV. In March of 2020, she started the Instagram Live series “Bright Minded,” in which she chatted with guests like Elton John and Senator Elizabeth Warren while featuring pets, makeup tutorials and a spotlight on social causes. In May of this year, she announced a deal with NBCUniversal for three specials and other potential projects that&nbsp;Forbes&nbsp;estimates to be worth $40 million. First out of the gate: NBC Peacock’s first-ever Pride special that promoted LGBTQ+ causes, along with Cyrus singing a rendition of Cher’s “Believe” in a sequin outfit, flanked by drag queens. All of this helped Cyrus earn a spot in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/30-under-30/2022/hall-of-fame">Forbes&nbsp;Under 30 Hall of Fame</a>.&nbsp;



While Cyrus is still not shy, these days fans are more likely to see her showing off her spotless skin in ads for telehealth company Hims &amp; Hers as part of a deal that gives her an equity stake and creative role in the Hers skincare line than twerking. That’s in addition to a slate of endorsement deals with brands like Gucci, as well as angel investments in companies like Fanmade, an agency cofounded by her marketing and digital head (and fellow&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/profile/olivia-rudensky/?sh=3a06e14c6987">Forbes&nbsp;30 Under 30</a>) Olivia Rudensky. Among other things, Cyrus wants to build out a direct-to-fan site that keeps the trolls and tech billionaires from profiting from her following. That means investing in MileyWorld, the fan site her mother started during her Disney days to create a safe space for Cyrus to engage with her audience. Content ideas range from adding everything from Miley-guided meditation to exclusive performance videos. “I want to have my own land,” says Cyrus. “I want people to know they are in the power position with these platforms—platforms are not in the power position; we’re taking the power back.”



For Cyrus, the most important piece of land these days is the one in her front yard that’s home to the Airstream trailer where records her music. If the shag-covered basement is where she focuses on building the brand, the trailer is where she feeds her soul, creating and recording new music, including her 2020 rock album&nbsp;Plastic Hearts. It’s a place she goes every day and one that she guards for herself. When asked what musical genre she is exploring at the moment, Cyrus will only say, “I love the soft side of rock that is more vulnerable.” Whether that will result in music that skews more to her country or rock instincts is, of course, up to her. She’ll create on her own time—and on her own terms. “I’m happy to be all the things that people need me to be,” says Cyrus. “As long as I’m all the things that I need me to be first.”



By Alexandra Sternlicht, Forbes Staff



Additional reporting by&nbsp;Lisette Voytko&nbsp;and&nbsp;Abigail Freeman.

10th Annual LACMA ART+FILM GALA Presented By Gucci

Miley Cyrus Is A Rebel For Her Own Cause

Dylan Diamond first built the app in high school to help his friends coordinate their schedules.



In October 2015, the halls of Westport, Connecticut’s Staples High School looked like those of any other well-to-do American school, abuzz with 1,800 students rushing from class to study hall to extracurricular activities. But while other schools’ teens connected through Snapchat and Instagram, Staples’ entire student body was hooked on what would become Saturn, a social calendar app built by junior Dylan Diamond. 



“People would send around pictures of their schedules and say, ‘Hey, are you in my class?’ They’d send around these ad hoc spreadsheets, group chats and posts; there was no coherent solution,” says Diamond, now 22 years old. “So I created a Web app just for my school that showed me where my friends were and what was going on in the community.” That app became Saturn, named after the Roman god of time. High schoolers use Saturn to manage their calendars,&nbsp; learn about community happenings, chat with friends, see their calendars and real-time whereabouts.



Diamond graduated from Staples in 2017 and enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania, where he studied engineering and business. On the side, he developed Tesla Toolbox, an app for Tesla drivers to control their vehicles from Apple Watches and share drive data—he describes this as Strava for the Tesla community. Tesla discovered the app and hired Diamond as the company’s youngest full-time employee. Though his weekly commutes from Philadelphia to San Francisco prevented Diamond from having much of a social life, fellow Whartonite Max Baron, who was similarly running a full-time social media consultancy with buy-in from Dr. Dre and Snapchat, messaged Diamond on LinkedIn to connect about business opportunities.&nbsp;



Over coffee on Penn’s campus, Diamond showed Baron Saturn—which he’d subsequently turned in a mobile app-—and Baron was floored. “It was very obvious to me that the slope of whatever we could build together was much higher than whatever I could find in either a classroom or commercial setting.” With Baron as COO and CSO and Diamond as CEO, in 2019 the two closed a $9 million seed round from TQ Ventures, General Catalyst and Ashton Kutcher, propelling their pre-revenue company to a $40 million valuation. After Diamond won a Thiel Fellowship in 2020, the two dropped out of college to build Saturn into what they say will be the next Facebook.&nbsp;



Today, the company announced it’s raised an additional $35 million, bringing total funding to $44 million, led by General Catalyst, Insight Partners and Coatue, with participation from Bezos Expeditions, Marc Benioff, Dara Khosrowshahi, Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary’s Sound Ventures, Inspired Capital, Mike Vernal, TQ Ventures, SV Angel, Dick Costolo and Adam Bain’s 01 Advisors, Robert Downey Jr., Elad Gil, Jerry Murdock, Hadi Partovi and Dylan Field.&nbsp;



“Dylan [Diamond] is a prodigy in many ways,” says Alexa von Tobel, founder and managing partner of Inspired Capital. “When you see data like Saturn’s, it honestly reminds me of my days as a Harvard undergrad—Mark Zuckerberg was a classmate—and I remember what the early adoption of Facebook felt like, when the user base is not only demanding, but thirsty for the product.”



Though Saturn declined to share metrics on its user base, at present, a few hundred schools use Saturn to manage their social and academic calendars, message students and work through homework and extracurricular to-do lists within the platform. Saturn brings high schools into its orbit by hiring unpaid student ambassadors, a strategy meant to make it feel by and for students, rather than administrators.&nbsp;



Though the cofounders have attracted a slate of blue-chip investors, the company has no monetization model—or plan to move beyond high school users—at present. “There are a lot of things in play, but to be honest, [monetization] is not our immediate priority at the moment,” says Baron, who is more focused on retention and engagement. Investors are banking on Saturn becoming the next great social network, and in such a reality, monetization is light-years away. For context, Mark Zuckerberg started Facebook in 2004, but did not attempt to generate revenue until 2012.&nbsp;



“When you invest in things like Twitter, which I did when it was only 30 people, we had no idea how we’re going to make money,” says Insight Partners’ cofounder Jerry Murdock, who led the round, but invested as an individual. “Within something that has a high degree of engagement, and you see there’s a lot of utility, there’s an implied sense that monetization will be there when you need to get there.”&nbsp;



The SoHo, New York-based company plans to use much of its $44 million injection to pay its 30 employees and hire to fill 13 new roles. “If we double down on performance and make sure that Saturn can scale flawlessly to thousands of schools,” says Diamond. “There’s a lot of work ahead, but we’re excited about where we are.”



By Alexandra Sternlicht, Forbes Staff

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Social Calendar Platform Saturn Raises $44 Million From Benioff, Bezos, And Von Tobel, Among Others

After an injury stymied Brandon Fleming’s Liberty University basketball career, he dropped out to earn a living as an assembly line worker in Atlanta, Georgia. After attempting suicide, he was determined to turn his life around. 



He re-enrolled at Liberty University on a full-ride despite having a middle school-level reading comprehension. Fleming, however, only passed his courses only by cheating. His English professor caught Fleming cheating; rather than flunk him, she forced him to redo the assignment—by her side over the course of multiple months. In the process, she taught him to read and write, exposing him to Black authors like Malcolm X and Frederick Douglass. 



As a side hustle, he coached a debate team at an inner city Atlanta middle school. After the team became undefeated national champions, Harvard recruited him to coach their debate team. In turn, Fleming founded the Harvard Debate Council Diversity Project, which recruits highly motivated Black youth from Atlanta and trains them through a year-long debate residency with Harvard that culminates in competition against top-ranked debaters from 25 countries. So far, the three cohorts Fleming has trained since the program’s 2017 inception have won the prestigious national Harvard Debate Tournament. This month, Hachette Books published&nbsp;Miseducated, Fleming’s memoir.&nbsp;



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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">From drug dealer to Harvard educator, here&#39;s why Brandon Fleming believes heart-first teaching is key to racial equality: <a href="https://t.co/rjUzXo228v">https://t.co/rjUzXo228v</a> <a href="https://t.co/TfANQxjonk">pic.twitter.com/TfANQxjonk</a>&mdash; Forbes (@Forbes) <a href="https://twitter.com/Forbes/status/1408475118007902214?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 25, 2021</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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Forbes&nbsp;spoke with Fleming about his childhood, plans to open the first truly equitable boarding school and heart-first teaching.&nbsp;



Alexandra Sternlicht:&nbsp;Tell me about how you ended up in debate.&nbsp;



Brandon Fleming:&nbsp;I didn’t know that Black people were scholars. In the world that I existed in, there were nothing but Black gangsters and Black drug dealers and Black athletes. When my professor introduced me to Black writers, she opened up this world in which I never knew there was space for me. I just became hungry for more. I started watching movies and reading books about Black scholars. I was Googling movies similar to&nbsp;Malcolm X&nbsp;and found another movie starring Denzel Washington about a Black teacher. It’s called the&nbsp;Great Debaters, and it changed my life forever. I was like, “If only this was a real thing.”&nbsp;



I grew up an athlete, and I got hurt. I had nowhere to direct my competitive drive. So now I was like, ‘You can be competitive in smart stuff?’ So I came to find out it was a real thing, and that my college had a debate team—and then I tried out and made the team. I was so captivated by debate because it was not only helping me learn but discovering my voice and identity.&nbsp;



Sternlicht:&nbsp;You made the&nbsp;Forbes&nbsp;30 Under 30 list as the founder of the Harvard Diversity Project. Are you still involved in that?



Fleming:&nbsp;Absolutely. I always wonder why I was the one who made it out of the ‘hood because there are so many people out there who never made it out. In fact, most of them never made it out. Some of them aren&#8217;t even alive anymore. When I made it from the hood to Harvard, I knew that my being there had to be far bigger than just me. I realized the reason I was there was to build a bridge—to create access for more people who look like me.



For three consecutive years, every group of students that I recruited and trained in Atlanta through the Harvard Diversity Project—every single one of them won the Harvard Debate Tournament. It shows the world that it’s bigger than debate. It shows the world that anything Black and Brown people have not achieved is not due to ability; it’s only due to access.&nbsp;



Sternlicht:&nbsp;From your own drive and from encountering some amazing mentors, you’ve had incredible success—all through education. Do you think that the education system is the main way to achieve racial equity?&nbsp;



Fleming:&nbsp;When we look at the plight of American education, it’s not a policy issue. It’s a heart issue. The reason is that we don’t understand that the way we create a more equitable world is through empathetic education. What does it look like? It looks exactly like what that professor did for me, which is meeting me where I was.&nbsp;



English did not change me. Academics did not change me. Love is what changed me. Empathy is what changed me.&nbsp;



The reason I wrote this book [Miseducated] is because we can’t reach people that we don’t understand. When we talk about reaching at-risk youth, that’s how we can reach them: love them first and teach them second. Once we learn how to do that, education will transform.&nbsp;



Sternlicht:&nbsp;How do you think educators and academic institutions can institute heart into their curriculum?&nbsp;



Fleming:&nbsp;We have to understand emotional learning. It goes beyond intellectual intelligence. You can’t be concerned with reaching the mind and not reaching the heart. We have to meet them where they are—that’s the definition of equity. It’s what that professor did for me: being willing to go the extra mile above the call of duty.&nbsp;



The other part of it is culturally relevant teaching. When my professor wanted to teach me to read and write, she didn’t go back to William Faulkner or F. Scott Fitzgerald. She understood the importance of culture and representation. That’s the definition of culturally relevant teaching: it’s marrying our agenda with their interests.&nbsp;



Young people are not disinterested. Young people are not disengaged. It’s easier for us to say they’re disinterested because that negates our responsibility.&nbsp;



English did not change me. Academics did not change me. Love is what changed me. Empathy is what changed me.&nbsp;Brandon Fleming



Sternlicht:&nbsp;What is the role of higher education in this system?



Fleming:&nbsp;One role higher education can play is creating equitable summer programming, which is what we’re doing at Harvard. We’re giving access to Black and Brown students because the other option is to leave these kids to fend for themselves.&nbsp;



Sternlicht:&nbsp;How do you think your impact will be most felt? Through your book? Through Harvard? Or other sorts of career things?&nbsp;



Fleming:&nbsp;I can let you in on something I haven’t shared with many others. If I have discovered the tool that levels the playing field for marginalized people, it means I have a responsibility to get that tool in the hands of as many people as possible, and I can’t do that at Harvard. Right now, I am in the process of building a school that is called the Veritas School of Social Sciences. It’s going to be the most equitable school in the world. It’s going to be a boarding school for people of color. It’s in Atlanta, Georgia and the development is already underway. We plan to open the school in either the fall of 2023 or 2024.&nbsp;



Sternlicht:&nbsp;You mentioned over email that your book is being optioned for a movie?&nbsp;



Fleming:&nbsp;Yes, it is! There’s not much I can share—only because now we’re negotiating with different production companies and studios to determine which contract we want to sign.&nbsp;



This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity. 



By Alexandra Sternlicht, Forbes Staff

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From Drug Dealer To Harvard Educator: Why Brandon Fleming Believes Heart-First Teaching Is Key To Racial Equality

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CLASS OF 2021 Change-Makers In A Historic Year

Members of this year’s list of under 30s have one thing in common: A NEW COVID-INDUCED AGENDA FOR SOCIAL CHANGE. So what would a historic pandemic year throw up? ground-breaking entrepreneurs and thinkers. Our 2021 class of under 30s are just that: INFLUENTIAL CREATIVES, IMAGINATIVE BUSINESS OWNERS, INNOVATIVE TECHIES, AND GIFTED SPORTS STARS. Celebrating seven years of the FORBES AFRICA 30 UNDER 30 LIST, these achievers prove that now more than ever,&nbsp; they are crucial to the AFRICAN GROWTH STORY.



<h4 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading" id="h-the-under-30-team">THE UNDER 30 TEAM </h4>



Words: Karen Mwendera, Chanel Retief, Simone Umraw Art Director: Lucy Nkosi Photographer: Motlabana Monnakgotla Retouching: Newkatz Studio Styling: Keabetswe Mafora; Outfits supplied by: Spero Villioti, Viviers Studio, Sisi the Collection, GertJohan Coetzee, Port of LNG, Amen Concepts, Europa Art Studio: Light Station Studio, Johannesburg | Hair &amp; Makeup: SnehhOnline Beauty



<h4 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading" id="h-methodology">METHODOLOGY</h4>



The Covid-19 pandemic posed a unique challenge this year when collating criteria for the nomination process. A new set of factors had to be taken into account for the challenges this year’s hopefuls were faced with. Yet, despite the adversities and setbacks, about 1,000+ applicants and nominees poured into our online portal, and we also dredged them from our 30 Under 30 alum and our own research. This was then narrowed down to the 30 finalists across the business, technology, sports and creative sectors.



The criteria employed this year was the most rigorous it has ever been. Nominees needed to provide valid evidence of their endeavors. Background checks were done to ascertain their calibre, conduct and personal track-record. With audit partner SNG Grant Thornton, we were able to assess their company financials from losses to growth margins to overall revenue and profits since incorporation.



Our criteria for the 30 Under 30 list is that only those under the age of 30 ( just before the publication of this issue) may apply. All decision-making and interviews were conducted digitally this year, as the pandemic did not enable meetings in person. In doing so, we had new appreciation for the technology that powered our research. The finalists were vetted by the editorial team and a panel of high-profile judges and subjectmatter experts (see following page). This list is only but a small indication of the inspiring young talent on the continent who will no doubt grace the pages of FORBES AFRICA in the months and years to come



CHANGE-MAKERS VERSUS Covid! That’s what we were looking for when curating FORBES AFRICA’s 30 Under 30 list-makers this year. After all, 2021 marks an entire year that has disrupted the world. Businesses pivoted and so did our lives as we navigated the pandemic, and realized that the old ways of doing things no longer work.



But surely, there are answers, especially on the world’s youngest continent. A report, Global Employment Trends for Youth 2020: Africa, by the International Labour Organization, says that “Africa’s youth unemployment rate is the lowest in the world and compared to other regions”.



So, we celebrate young talent that comes to the fore in finding sustainable ways to overcome the crisis but also helping those who have been the hardest hit. From philanthropic beauty influencers to tech geeks revolutionizing renewable energy and even a chess master championing entrepreneurship, the list features a motley cast of individuals wanting to change the world when it needs it the most.



This year’s list-makers – the youngest being 19 – will go down in history as the Under 30s who survived and thrived during one of the most turbulent chapters on earth. The following pages are a record of the enduring tenacity and fighting spirit of Africa’s young leaders charting a nonlinear trajectory to success. (The list is in no particular order)



EXTERNAL JUDGES: THE CATEGORY EXPERTS WHOSE ROLE WAS TO SURVEY ALL THE FINALISTS OF THE 2021 30 UNDER 30 LIST, RANK THEM AND PROVIDE COMMENTARY ON EACH CANDIDATE.



BUSINESS: Nigerian businesswoman Uche Pedro, the founder, and CEO of BellaNaija, a media-tech brand known for its entertainment and lifestyle content. She has been in the business game for over 15 years, collecting numerous local and international accolades along the way including making the FORBES WOMAN AFRICA 50 Most Powerful Women list in 2020.



TECHNOLOGY: Olugbenga Agboola, the cofounder and CEO of Flutterwave, an African fintech firm building digital payments infrastructure. He has contributed to the development of fintech solutions at several tech companies and financial institutions such as PayPal, Standard Bank, among others. Flutterwave recently raised $170 million, giving it ‘unicorn’ status with a value of over $1 billion.



CREATIVES: Dr John Kani, a South African actor, author, director, and playwright known for his roles in Marvel movies Captain America: Civil War and Black Panther as well as The Lion King. In addition, Kani is also the Founder of the Market Theatre LaboratoryAcademy, chair of the Apartheid Museum South Africa, patron and Ambassador of the Market Theatre, and Trustee for the WWFNedbank Green Trust.



SPORTS: Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira, a Zimbabwean-born professional rugby player who plays for Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby and previously for the South African national team and the Sharks in Super Rugby. With 117 caps, he is the most capped prop in South African history and the third most-capped Springbok of all time. He is also a 2019 Rugby World Cup winner. He owns a security company in South Africa and The Beast Foundation.



AUDIT PARTNER: FORBES AFRICA partnered again with SNG Grant Thornton to vet the business and financial statements of the candidates. This involved understanding the landscape, the profitability, growth and most of all, the scalability of each business. 



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For the full list download the digital copy <a href="https://shop.forbesafrica.com/product/single-digital-issue-30-under-30-june-july-2021/">here</a>

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Forbes Africa #30Under30 List: MEET THE COVER STARS

FORBES AFRICA is on the hunt for Africans under the age of 30, who are leading the charge building brands, creating jobs and transforming the continent, to join the magazine&#8217;s Under 30 community for 2021.



Attention entrepreneurs, creatives, sports stars and technology geeks — the 2021 FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 nominations are now officially open.



Each year, FORBES AFRICA looks for resilient self-starters, innovators, entrepreneurs and disruptors who have the acumen to stay the course in their chosen field, come what may.



The FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 list is the most-anticipated list of game-changers on the continent and this year, we are on the hunt for 30 of Africa’s brightest achievers under the age of 30 spanning these categories: Business, Technology, Creatives, and Sport.



Past honorees include Mr Eazi, Lloyd Harris, Sho Madjozi, Bruce Diale, Karabo Poppy, Thuso Mbedu, Nomzamo Mbatha, Burna Boy, Nthabiseng Mosia, Davido, Shamim Nabuuma Kaliisa, Nasty C and WizKid.



Continuing with a final list of 30, this year will go down in history as the Under 30s who survived and thrived during one of the most turbulent times recorded: the global COVID-19 pandemic.



“The FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 is the most coveted list of the year, and we will be celebrating seven years of the list in 2021. What will make this compilation even more compelling will be the fighting spirit of the candidates that made it through a challenging year. They need to be honored even more for their tenacity and resilience as leaders charting a non-linear trajectory to success,” says Renuka Methil, Managing Editor of FORBES AFRICA.



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If you think you have what it takes to be on this year’s list or know an entrepreneur, creative, technology entrepreneur, or sports star under the age of 30 with a proven track record on the continent – introduce them to FORBES AFRICA by submitting your nomination.



<h3 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading" id="h-the-judging-process-will-take-place-in-four-stages">The judging process will take place in four stages:</h3>



● The first stage will be the evaluation of your motivation. If you do not hear back from us (within a specific period), please deem your nomination as unsuccessful.



● The second stage will require potential candidates to submit more documentation for the next stage of assessment.



● The third stage will include an analysis of your financials, revenue model and credibility as in-depth research will be conducted into who you are and your company/team (no criminal records, troubling lawsuits/bankruptcies, allegations of crime, bad behavior, sexual harassment/abuse or fraud).



● The final stage will have an expert panel of judges assess the strong candidates, whittling them down to the final 30. The editorial and research team makes the final selection based on judges’ scoring/remarks and adjusts for diversity across company type, gender, background, etc.



NOMINATIONS AND APPLICATIONS CRITERIA:



Please read and take careful note of the following before applying. 



<h3 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading" id="h-business-and-technology-categories">Business and Technology categories</h3>



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/tech.png.png" alt="" class="wp-image-41042" width="326" height="305" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/tech.png.png 412w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/tech.png-300x281.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 326px) 100vw, 326px" /><figcaption>2019 30 under 30s in technology: Eric Muli, Nthabiseng Mosia, Courtney Bentley. (Photo: Motlabana Monnakgotla)</figcaption></figure></div>



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Must be an entrepreneur/founder aged 29 or younger on 31 March 2021</li><li>Should have a legitimate REGISTERED business on the continent</li><li>Business/businesses should be two years or older</li><li>Nominees must have risked own money and have a social impact</li><li>Must be profit generating</li><li>Must employ people in Africa</li><li>All applications must be in English</li><li>Should be available and prepared to participate in the Under 30 Meet-Up</li></ol>



<h3 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading" id="h-sports-category">Sports category</h3>



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="alignright size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/sport.png.png" alt="" class="wp-image-41057" width="278" height="247" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/sport.png.png 412w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/sport.png-300x267.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 278px) 100vw, 278px" /><figcaption>2019 30 under 30s in sport: Sabrina Simader, Patricia Aplot, Clarence Munyai. (Photo: Motlabana Monnakgotla)</figcaption></figure></div>



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Must be a sports person aged 29 or younger on 31 March 2021</li><li>Must be representing an African team</li><li>Should have a proven track record of no less than two years</li><li>Should be making significant earnings</li><li>Should have some endorsement deals</li><li>Entrepreneurship and social impact is a plus</li><li>All applications must be in English</li><li>Should be available and prepared to participate in the Under 30 Meet-Up</li></ol>



<h3 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading" id="h-creatives-category">Creatives category</h3>



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="alignright size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Creatives.png.png" alt="" class="wp-image-41044" width="270" height="196" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Creatives.png.png 410w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Creatives.png-300x219.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 270px) 100vw, 270px" /><figcaption>2019 30 under 30 creatives: Karabo Poppy Moletsane, Thando Thabethe, Petite Noir. (Photo: Motlabana Monnakgotla)</figcaption></figure></div>



<ol class="wp-block-list"><li>Must be a creative aged 29 or younger on 31 March 2021</li><li>Must be from or based in Africa</li><li>Should be making significant earnings</li><li>Should have a proven creative record of no less than two years</li><li>Must have social influence</li><li>Entrepreneurship and social impact is a plus</li><li>All applications must be in English</li><li>Should be available and prepared to participate in the Under 30 Meet-Up</li></ol>



If you think you have what it takes to be on the coveted list for 2021, or know change-makers in the business, technology, creative or sports sectors under the age of 30 with a proven track record on the African continent, introduce them to FORBES AFRICA by submitting your nomination. 



<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/?p=49019" target="_blank">Click here to Nominate/Apply </a>



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-49142" width="446" height="446" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-150x150.jpg 150w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-768x768.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-80x80.jpg 80w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-600x600.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 446px) 100vw, 446px" /></figure></div>

UNDER30 (1080×566)

Nominations Open For FORBES AFRICA’s 30 Under 30 Class Of 2021

FORBES AFRICA is on the hunt for Africans under the age of 30, who are leading the charge building brands, creating jobs and transforming the continent, to join the magazine&#8217;s Under 30 community for 2021.



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/UNDER30-1200x9004-1-1024x768.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-49141" width="489" height="367" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/UNDER30-1200x9004-1-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/UNDER30-1200x9004-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/UNDER30-1200x9004-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/UNDER30-1200x9004-1-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/UNDER30-1200x9004-1-2048x1536.jpg 2048w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/UNDER30-1200x9004-1-600x450.jpg 600w" sizes="(max-width: 489px) 100vw, 489px" /></figure></div>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-style-large is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">“The FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 is our most coveted list of the year, and we will be celebrating seven years of the list in 2021&#8230;&#8221; &#8211;Renuka Methil, Managing Editor of FORBES AFRICA.</blockquote>



<a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/under-30/2020/12/14/nominations-open-for-forbes-africa-30-under-30-class-of-2020/">Please ensure that you have read entry requirements before applying.</a>



<h2 class="has-text-align-center wp-block-heading" id="h-nominations-are-now-closed">NOMINATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED</h2>



<div class="wp-block-image is-style-default"><figure class="aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-49142" width="377" height="377" srcset="https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-300x300.jpg 300w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-150x150.jpg 150w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-768x768.jpg 768w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-2048x2048.jpg 2048w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-80x80.jpg 80w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-600x600.jpg 600w, https://cms.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/30under30-black-100x100.jpg 100w" sizes="(max-width: 377px) 100vw, 377px" /></figure></div>

UNDER30 (1200×900)2

Call For Nominations To FORBES AFRICA’s 30 Under 30 Class Of 2021

Tsholanang Mathibe never let her humble upbringing come in the way of her big dreams designing for the rich and famous in South Africa.



Picture this. Somewhere in Kanana, a rural village in the innards of South Africa’s North West province, a young girl takes a break from a routine day out playing in the fields with her friends, and accidentally leafs through the fashion pages of a glossy magazine, awe-struck by the style and design aesthetics of the big city. And she plans her life in that one moment.&nbsp;



Today, at 29, Tsholanang Mathibe is a fashion entrepreneur and founder of Blackmarble Designs in South Africa’s capital Pretoria, designing for brides and businesswomen, but still recalling that day in the sun when life shone her career path.



“I’ve never seen myself doing anything else from the age of nine,” says Mathibe.



The coronavirus-induced economic downturn in South Africa has no doubt affected her business as well, but it is a good time to reflect on how far she has come, and how much farther she wants to go.



“Lockdown has affected business greatly because most of our clients get garments done to attend special events. With [not many of those events happening], people are sceptical [about] purchasing costumed clothing,” she says.



Mathibe is now fashioning face-masks and recently rented out a wedding gown for a private ceremony.



Her formative years were tough. After high school, she moved to Pretoria for a B.Tech in Fashion Design at the Tshwane University of Technology. It was not easy adjusting to life in the city and the challenges of higher education. She even briefly mulled switching careers to deejaying, but her mother motivated her to stay the course.



“The fashion journey is tough, and the fact that people don’t talk about that side of the industry baffles me, because when I was in high school, I thought it was all glitz and&nbsp; glamor, until I got to varsity.”



When it came to finally starting her own business and choosing a name for her brand, she harked back to her maths classes in school, when her teacher, in discussing numbers, always referred to marbles.



Mathibe used it in conjunction with black, her favorite color, and Blackmarble Designs was born.



The maths teacher had also shown interest in the young creative that Mathibe was and arranged for her to meet with fashion designer, Ephraim Molingoane of Ephymol, a menswear fashion label.



Blackmarble was registered in 2013 when she was still in her final year, and commenced operations in 2014.



“I was helped by the fact that I won an industrial sewing machine for a fashion range I had produced during my third year, when students showcase their work. I won the best innovation award. That helped me start my business.”



In the first year of operation, Mathibe was working out of her aunt’s backroom in Soweto, sleeping alongside her equipment and waking up to work all day or night.



“I spent most of my time in that room doing mostly ready-to-wear garments to showcase and sell at social markets between Johannesburg and Cape Town. A client then referred South Africa’s popular radio deejay, DJ Sabby, to me. He needed an outfit for the J&amp;B MET. That was my first celebrity client,” she recalls.



The following year, she moved back to Pretoria to live with her partner. Business was picking up and she enjoyed making bespoke outfits rather than ready-to-wear. She also started promoting the brand online to reach a wider audience; things were getting better and the business had momentum.



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" src="https://www.forbesafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/DSCF8205.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-47572"/></figure>



“I am still using my home as my studio, and in 2019, the business got its first bridal client and since then, that was the market we were mostly [focusing] on before the lockdown,” she says.



Her first client for a bridal outfit was Lindiwe Sibiloane, who had seen a matric dance garment that Mathibe had designed.



“I was looking for something very similar to that [matric dance garment]; then I asked her to do a bridal gown, and she did it. I am still happy about it, everyone was raving about that dress; they still are,” says Sibiloane.



Mathibe’s bridal gowns cost upwards of $1,000.



So far, Blackmarble Designs has also dressed FORBES AFRICA 30 Under 30 alumna such as South African actor Thuso Mbedu and Reabetswe Ngwane, co-founder and MD of Kreamfields, who incidentally, Mathibe has known from primary school.



Mathibe dressed Ngwane for the glamorous Veuve Clicquot Masters Polo social event in 2019.



“I told her I needed a dress. I gave her a brief the week of the event. I sent her a few pictures I had seen on Pinterest. A few days later, the dress was done to the ‘T’ and didn’t need any adjustments, save for a button,” says Ngwane.



Somewhere in Kanana, a young girl must be reading this article now and being suitably inspired, just like Mathibe had been, all those years ago.&nbsp;

Tag: Under 30

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